Quinoa and/or amaranth as fodder

Posts: 271

posted 7 years ago

I've continued to seek out plants that could potentially work as fodder. I've come across some interesting reading regarding both Quinoa and amaranth. With the exception of wild pigweed, I'm not familiar with either at all. Is there anyone who has actual experience with these? What are your thoughts on using them as livestock fodder? Do livestock like them (palatability)? Have you experienced good growth rates? Prolific? Productive? What about ease of growing? Any thoughts on harvesting and storing for winter? Are either of these plants you would recommend as fodder? Are there other plants you would consider first, or feel are better choices?

Quinoa would probably be to much work to warrant its use as livestock feed. Amaranth on the other hand has possibilities. The leaves are edible and can be fed throughout the growing season (just don't over harvest from an individual stalk), or grow a seed and a leaf variety together. Some varieties such as golden giant can supposedly produce up to a pound of seed per plant. You could even possibly do a 3 sisters thing and grown beans up the stalks and squash below them. All these have potential as animal (and human) feed.

re: Sorghum... I don't know! Thank you very much for the suggestion, I'll check into it.

So far, nettles are at the top of my list... but I'd like to establish some plant guilds as well as different types of plants as resources (different guilds). I'm just learning about all of this.. it's all new to me. I appreciate everyone's patience.

Posts: 34

posted 6 years ago

The Tohono O'odham (SW native american tribe) use dried amaranth as hay for livestock.